Rural Thailand

[Ian]

Hi all,

Not much time to explain as laptop about to run out of juice!

Am in North Eastern Thailand at the moment. Here are a few from earlier today, taken at a Red Cross fair in Maha Sarakham. More to follow, and more details in my gallery. Sorry for some reason no exif data, will investiagte!

Ian

[Barr1e]

Re: Rural Thailand

Hi Ian -

A very interesting and colourful series. Not so sure about the 'grub' in the fifth shot.

Enjoy your trip.

Regards. Barr1e

[John Perriment]

Re: Rural Thailand

An interesting and highly competent series of pictures but, for me, one really stands out as something special, not just a travel shot but an astute social comment.

Thalidomide Man, reduced to begging in the street for survival, is somewhat ironically juxtaposed to the huge image of the illustrious leader. They live in different worlds, destined never to meet but here, for a brief, unwitting moment their eyes gaze in the same direction. For a moment, so close, but forever so far apart.

[ekkl]

Re: Rural Thailand

I love that third picture it is brilliant.

[Josh Bear]

Re: Rural Thailand

great series. What camera?

Best regards

josh

[Stephen]

Re: Rural Thailand

Yes, I like these too Ian, its a very interesting insight into a completely different culture.

Josh, the camera was an Oly E3, nothing less than I would have expected from Ian

[Ian]

Re: Rural Thailand

Hi all, glad to receive some nice feedback -

Arrived back late on Monday evening after almost 23 hours traveling from Maha Sarakham (via neighbouring Roi Et's airport to Bangkok and then on to London Heathrow). Was quite surprised that Thai Air's 747 service to London was a throw-back to the 1980s, with no up to date seat back entertainment system, and they aren't the cheapest option either - though the food was quite good.

Anyway, I'll post some more pix later today!

Ian

[Ian]

Re: Rural Thailand

An interesting and highly competent series of pictures but, for me, one really stands out as something special, not just a travel shot but an astute social comment.

Thalidomide Man, reduced to begging in the street for survival, is somewhat ironically juxtaposed to the huge image of the illustrious leader. They live in different worlds, destined never to meet but here, for a brief, unwitting moment their eyes gaze in the same direction. For a moment, so close, but forever so far apart.

One thing I ought to point out is that the disabled man was not what I'd called a desperately disheveled beggar. He's obviously treated well and most have some care and help as he was relatively well dressed and turned out. But I can imagine that he has no prospect for work income, so he's forced into begging. In general, Thailand is a place where there is a lot of natural respect and care and compared to other far eastern countries I saw very little desperate poverty. The King is a non-political figure, just like our our Queen, and is - if anything - even more highly regarded.

I couldn't help but record the juxtaposition of the disabled figure and the big poster of the king - there are plenty of the latter.

Ian

[John Perriment]

Re: Rural Thailand

One thing I ought to point out is that the disabled man was not what I'd called a desperately disheveled beggar. He's obviously treated well and most have some care and help as he was relatively well dressed and turned out. But I can imagine that he has no prospect for work income, so he's forced into begging. In general, Thailand is a place where there is a lot of natural respect and care and compared to other far eastern countries I saw very little desperate poverty. The King is a non-political figure, just like our our Queen, and is - if anything - even more highly regarded.

I couldn't help but record the juxtaposition of the disabled figure and the big poster of the king - there are plenty of the latter.

Ian

This may well be a picture where it is possible to read far more into the situation than was really there. I still think it is superb the way the eyes of the beggar are turned to the left and slightly up, as if following the gaze of the King out of the frame and in my mind it does create a strong link between them. Was this serendipity, or were you aware of this when you took the picture? Either way, Ian, it's a great photograph!